godfrey



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

E. K. GODFREY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

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Specification of Letters Patent No. 16,583, dated February 10, 1857'.

T 0 all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD K. GODFREY, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in RaZor-Strops; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full description of the same.

The nature of my invention consists in the combination of an independent convex strop, (which may be made hollow as a razor case, or otherwise if required,) with adjustable backs, the said backs alternately forming the handles of the strop as the 0pposite or upper side is being used for stropping the razor. But to describe my invention more particularly I will refer to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, the same letters of reference wherever they occur referring to like parts.

Figure l is a perspective view of the strop. Fig. 2, is a longitudinal cut section of the same, and showing the chamber or recess in the strop for the concealment of the razors. Fig. 3, is a perspective view of the strop, having one of the backs removed. Fig. 4, is a perspective of one of the backs as detached from the strop.

Letter A, is the strop. This is formed of wood of any suitable size required, and has its upper and lower surfaces made convex so as to adapt its surface to the concavity of the sides of the razor: that is, for the purpose of obtaining as thin an edge to the razor as possible they are usually ground from the back to the edge with a concave curve, consequently I have adapted the conveXity of the curve of my strop to this peculiarity of the razor, so that in stropping it, the edge continues to be drawn down evenly and uniformly, and not rounded on' the edge as is the case when the razor is stropped upon a flat strop.

Letters B and C, are thin facings of leather upon the surfaces of the strop, prepared in any of the usual ways for giving an edge to the razor.

D, is a recess or chamber in the side of the strop, the object of which is to hold the razor, and thereby combine with it the conveniences of a razor case.

E, is the cover for the recess which is held in its place by means of any suitable devices of buttons or other means best adapted for such purposes.

Letters F and G, are the backs of the strop. These are formed of wood, and-have their inner faces curved so as to fit the convexity of the curve of the strop, and by means of hinges H, H, and a hook J, they are attached to the strop, and thereby form a perfect protection to the faces of the strop, and at the same time when either of the backs are removed, the opposite or lower one supporting the strop and acting as a handle whereby to hold it while being used. These backs and the strop are sawed by a whip saw, from one block of wood. Consequently the surfaces of the strop and backs are always of the same curvature; and it will be perfectly obvious that to give the strop the uniformity of curvature required to lit the concave sides of the razor, throughout its entire length, it would be impossible (unless the strop was of great dimensions) to attach handles to the end of the strop.

To make the strop and the principle of its curved faces available therefore, it is necessary that the backs should be made adjustable, not only as a means for supporting the strop, and convenience of handling it when being used; but also asa protection or case, which otherwise could not be applied so as to fit the curved faces of the strop, and thereby prevent the dust and grit from filling the surfaces of the strop to spoil it.

Having now described my invention, its use, and mode of construction, I will proceed to state what I desire to claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States.

`What I claim is- The use of an independent strop stock without handles, in combination with adjustable and independent backs, substantialllylT for the purposes hereinbefore set ort EDWARD K. GODFREY.

Witnesses:

KEMP GODFREY, CHARLES L. BARRIK. 

